Method for determining oxygen in gases



M. G. JACOBSON METHOD FOR DETERMINING OXYGEN IN GASES March 8, 1949.

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March 8, 1949. JACOBSQN 2,464,087

METHOD FOR DETERMINING OXYQENVIN GASES Filed May 22, 194:5 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENT OR. 07,0355 G. JHcosJ /v.

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Patented Mar. 8, 1949 METHOD FOR DETERMINING OXYGEN IN GASES Moses G. Jacobson, Verona, Pa., assignor to Mine Safety Appliances Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 22, 1943, Serial No. 488,046

6 Claims.

This invention relates to determination of the concentration of oxygen in air and other gases.

Although the invention is applicable to the determination of oxygen concentrations at least as high as 99 per cent, it is particularly useful for determining the deficiency of oxygen in air atmospheres, for which reason it will be described with particular reference thereto.

There has existed a need for a portable oxygen deficiency meter which is easily used, does not create an explosion or fire hazard in use, and is sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes. Thus, such oxygen deficiency detectors are useful in connection with mine and manhole atmospheres, in high altitude flying, for use in submarines, and for related purposes. At present mine and manhole atmospheres are commonly tested for oxygen deficiency by means of the wellknown flame safety lamp, which is useful to give a qualitative indication of oxygen deficiency down to 16 per cent of oxygen; below that concentration the flame is extinguished. Moreover, flame lamps are not proof against accident in, for example, manholes into which city gas containing hydrogen may escape. For such purposes it would be desirable to have means available for determining the oxygen concentration or deficiency accurately, rapidly, and with safety.

Primary cells of the Fery type, comprising a zinc anode, a porous carbon cathode, and a solution of ammonium chloride as the electrolyte, depend for depolarization upon atmospheric oxygen which diffuses through the cathode and acts at the electrode-electrolyte interface to oxidize the hydrogen ions liberated at the cathode. The extent of depolarization is a function of the oxygen reaching the interface, and it has therefore been proposed to use such a galvanic cell for determining oxygen concentration of gases. Particularly, such a system would be desirable for use under widely varying conditions of barometric pressure because the oxygen sensitivity of such a cell is directly proportional to the barometric pressure. Thus, a 10.5 per cent concentration of oxygen at 760 mm. pressure will cause the same meter deflection as a 21 per cent concentration at 380 mm. This is desirable for making measurements at high altitudes or under subsurface conditions because for such purposes the important thing is the partial pressure of oxygen rather than its volume concentration.

However, the prior proposals do not afford a satisfactory instrument for and method of determining oxygen concentration, and they have not resulted in anything of practical significance. For instance, according to one proposal three electrical measurements are necessary for making each determination, there is a lag in attaining the indication, and frequent recalibration is necessary. This coupled with the fact that the meter does not give a zero indication at zero per cent of oxygen, which complicates and slows the determinations, and the fact that the range of accurate determination extends only from zero to about 2 per cent of oxygen renders that proposal highly impractical. Furthermore, a liquid solution of ammonium chloride electrolyte is used, and this is undesirable in a portable apparatus, particularly under flying or other conditions where it may not be practicable to keep the apparatus upright at all times. Again, it has been found that in applying the prior suggestions temperature has a large influence upon the meter readings, and it is necessary to maintain certain critical relations in the electrical circuit. Experience has shown also that difficulties are encountered with the cathode because different carbons, even from the same lot, exhibit different degrees of sensitivity which necessitates recalibration of the instrument each time the cathode is replaced. Owing to these and other troubles and disadvantages, the previous proposals were not practicable and were never used.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a method of and apparatus for determining oxygen concentration in gaseous atmospheres, which make use of the principles of the Fery cell while avoiding the disadvantages heretofore encountered in attempting to use it for this purpose, and which are simple, of practicable sensitivity and accuracy, are easily used, and are applicable to portable and rugged apparatus adapted for high altitude and subsurface work.

Other objects will appear from the following description.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration; Fig. 2 a plan View of the instrument shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view taken on line III--III, Fig 1; and Fig. 4 a wiring diagram illustrative of one feature of the invention and embodied in the instrument shown in Fig. 1.

In accordance with this invention the objects are attained by maintaining the current density at the cathode, or positive terminal, of the detector cell constant. In that manner the rate of 3 hydrogen ion liberation per unit of area of the cathode is constant and the depolarization E. M. F. produced by a given partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere being tested is likewise constant. By the application of my concept, therefore, it becomes possible to provide an instrument which after being calibrated is of adequate sensitivity for practical purposes and applicable to direct determination of oxygen concentrations, and the determinations depend neither upon the condition of the electrolyte or the anode, nor upon the temperature or total 1 pressure as long as they are substantially uniform throughout the cell.

I apply this concept practically by restricting the area over which the gas comes into contact with the cathode-electrolyte interface. In other words, the cathode is so constructed or arranged in the cell that the test gas exerts its depolarizing effect over a predetermined area of restricted size, and can not come into contact with any other portion of the cathode-electrolyte interface.

I have found further that the higher the cathode current density is at the start of the test, or when the instrument is used with pure air, the closer the calibration curve is to a straight line. Since the maximum E. M. F. available is of the order of 1.5 volts, the most practical way of increasing the current density is to restrict the acive depolarizing surface to a very small area, and if the area over which the test gas has access to the cathode-electrolyte surface is sufiiciently small,- a close approach to a straight line calibration curve can be obtained.

The depolarizing electrode (cathode When considered interiorly, positive terminal exteriorly, of the cell) used in the practice of this invention is permeable by gases but substantially impermeable by the electrolyte with which it is used. For most purposes I prefer to use porous carbon for this purpose because of its negligible potential with respect to all electrolytes. However, electrodes possessing the properties necessary for the purposes of the invention may be made from other materials, including metals and alloys,

The anode, or negative terminal, is a metal which is above the material of the cathode in the electrochemical series i. e., which for brevity may be said to be electropositive to the cathode. Zinc may be used as the anode, but cadmium or other metals electropositive to the cathode can be'used if desired for purposes of increasing the life of the cell or for other reasons.

Although various electrolytes might be used, it is at present preferred to use ammonium chloride, and contrary to the customary practice in primary cell construction, I prefer to use electrolytes of relatively dilute strength. Thereby the life of the cell is increased by reason of less intense action at the anode, and difficulties due to crystallization from the electrolyte are reduced. The exact concentration will depend, of course, upon the particular salt used and such other factors as the sensitivity of theelectric meter, but generally speaking I prefer that the electrolyte shall contain not over about 5 per cent of solute.

It is important that the electrolyte of a portable instrument be non-spillable. I have found that this is accomplished satisfactorily by soaking upthe electrolyte in an absorbent material such as pumice or sponge, most suitably a fibrous absorbent such as absorbent cotton. For most purposes I prefer to add to the absorbent material enough electrolyte so that it is almost but not quite saturated. This provides the electrolyte in a condition of optimum and maintained uniformity, and the operating life of the cell is longer than where a liquid electrolyte is used. Moreover, there is the added advantage that the cells may be assembled and stored in a dry condition, the electrolyte being simply poured onto the absorbent in the cell when it is to be put into use.

The apparatus provided by the invention comprises a primary cell which includes a container, or electrolyte chamber, in which there is disposed a body of absorbent material soaked with a solution of ammonium chloride or other electrolyte. Mountedwithin the cell are two electrodes capable of generating an E. M. F. when in contact with the electrolyte. The electronegative electrode, suitably of carbon, is so constructed and arranged as to have one surface in contact with the electrolyte and the other surface available for contact with the gas to be tested, and it presents only a restricted area in contact with the electrolyte which is acted upon by gas which diffuses through the electrode. The electrodes are connected electrically to a suitable meter or other means for measuring current flow in the circuit thus established, together with adjustable resistance means for adjusting the current density at the cathode to apredetermined constant value.

In the practice of the method provided by this invention the gas to be tested is passed in contact with one surface of the cathode of a primary cell of the type described, in which depolarization can be effected by oxygen from a gaseous atmosphere, the other surface of the cathode being in contact with an electrolyte of the type referred to above and which when current is drawn from the cell liberates at the cathode polarizing ions, such as hydrogen ions, that are depolarized by oxygen, the cathode being so constructed that gas can diffuse to the cathode-electrolyte interface only through a restricted area of predetermined size. concentration is passed over the cathode and the resistance of the circuit is adjusted to bring the current density at the active surface of the cathode to a predetermined value. The standard gas is then replaced by the gas whose oxygen content is to be determined and if its oxygen con centration is different than that of the standard gas the degree of polarization will be different and will increase or decrease the flow of current depending upon whether its oxygen concentration, or partial pressure, is below or above that of the standard gas, and this result will be measured by the meter in the circuit.

The accompanying drawings represent the preferred embodiment of the invention and further details and features of the invention will be described with reference thereto.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 represents" a portable apparatus mounted within a casing I provided with a removable cover plate 2 held in position by screws 3;, and for ease of assembly, use and repair all of the operative elements of the device are carried by this plate.

Extendin through the cover plate 2 is a tubular member 4 the upper end of which is provided with an outwardly flanged portion between which and the upper surface of the cover plate there is disposed a resilient gasket 6, For ease of filling the electrolyte chamber with absorbent material it is preferred that the flanged portion be supplied as a member 5 rem'ovably connected to tubular member 4 by screw threads, as shown Initially air or other gas of known oxygen particularly in Fig. 3. A base closure member I mounted within member 4 forms an electrolyte chamber 8. Members 4, 5 and I are suitably made from a transparent synthetic resin which is unaffected by the electrolyte and the operation of the cell.

In the embodiment shown the anode comprises an annulus 9 of zinc or other suitable metal mounted in fixed position against the upper surface of bottom plate I. The cathode comprises a tube ID of porous carbon which is cemented in the bore of a bushing I00, of suitable insulating synthetic resin or other material, which is provided with screw threads cooperating with similar threads formed in a bore disposed centrally in base I, as seen in Fig. 3, so that the head of the bushing lies in the opening of anode 7 and the cathode is disposed centrally of the cell and extends downwardly into the open space beneath base I. A rubber gasket Hll is compressed between the bushing head and base l, to make a liquid-tight seal.

In accordance with the invention, the area over which gas passed through the bore Illa of cathode may diffuse to the electrolyte-contacting surface is of restricted area. Although this may be accomplished in various ways, in the embodiment shown the outer surface of that portion of the cathode which lies within the electrolyte chamber is provided with a coating H of varnish or similar coating material which acts to prevent contact of the electrolyte with the coated surface. At one or more small areas l2 the electrode surface is uncoated, and it is only at these areas that oxygen from gas passed through the bore Illa of the cathode can diifuse to the electrolyte interface. For most purposes it is preferred to machine small areas of the cathode away, as shown at l2 in Fig. 3, so that the diffusion path will be at a minimum and the determinations made with the instrument thus expedited. In this way the electrically conductive area is made small enough to give a high surface concentration of the polarizing gas or other material.

When the cover plate is set in place the lower end of cathode I ll slips into a rubber sleeve I 3 mounted on a tube I 4 which is connected by a side arm I5 to a scrubber I6 containing a material for removing carbon dioxide from the gas being tested. An aspirator bulb I1 draws gas from the atmosphere to be tested and passes it through a conduit I8 into scrubber l6. Scrubber I6 is detachably suspended by a spring clip I 9 connected to a partition member 20 disposed within casing I. v

A pair of terminals 2| and 22 are provided for connecting the electrodes to a suitable current indicating device such as a microammeter 23. Cathode I0 is connected by a spring clip 24 and lead 25 to terminal 22, land anode 9 is connected by a metallic strip to terminal 2| through the wall of container 4. Spring clips 26 and 21 receive terminals 22 and 2| respectively, and are in turn connected respectively to wires 28 and 29 which act as leads to the meter 23.

Electrolyte chamber 8 is filled, as shown in Fig. 3, with absorbent cotton or similar absorbent material which carries the electrolyte, suitably a relatively dilute solution of ammonium chloride. To minimize evaporation of water from the electrolyte and to prevent access of air directly into the cell, there is provided a cap member 30' provided with screw threads complementary to threads formed on flanged member 5. It may be screwed tightly against gasket 6 when the instrument is not in use. The cap is provided with means for permitting escape of gas from the upper end of cathode l0 when the instrument is in use and adapted to prevent entrance of air into the upper end of the cell. This may take the form of a one-way relief valve, but I have found that satisfactory results are had by providing a lateral opening 3| through the side wall of cap 30 toward its lower end so that when the cap is screwed tightly against gasket 6 access of air to the upper end of the cell is substantially preeluded. However, by unscrewing the cap a few turns gas passed through the bore of cathode 10 can pass along the threads and escape through opening 3|. The threads create a slight back pressure which prevents inflow of air into the cell but is not detrimental to its operation.

As indicated above, it is necessary not only to maintain a definite area of contact between gas being tested and the cathode-electrolyte interface, but also to adjust the initial current density at the active surface of the cathode to a predetermined constant value against air or another standard gas of known oxygen concentration. To this end a simple rheostat would suffice if all other factors remained constant. I have found, however, that the diffusion area generally becomes gradually smaller with the passage of time due to partial closure of the pores. Consequently after the instrument has been in use for some time it may become necessary with a standard gas to make the original setting at lower and lower currents. I have found, however, that this difficulty may be overcome by using the circuit shown in Fig. 4. This includes three variable rheostates in the meter circuit. One of these is a step-by-step rheostat Rl connected by a lead 32 to lead 28 in parallel with meter 23. A second step-by-step rheostat R2 is connected in series with cell 8 by a lead 33 through a third continuously variable rheostat R3 the total resistance of which is small relative to the internal resistance of the cell. Rheostats Rl and R2 are connected by a coupling switch 34 to meter 23 through a wire lead 35. The resistance values of the rheostats and of meter 23 are so chosen that with a fresh detector cell and with the rheostats R-l and R-2 in the position a shown in Fig. 4 the meter reading can be set to indicate 21 per cent of oxygen on the scale by adjustment of the rheostat R3 when air is passed through bore Illa of cathode l 0. In this positionthe lowest resistance step a of rheostat Rl is in shunt with the meter, thus providing the highest current range. At the same time rheostat R2 offers the lowest series resistance. As the active area l2 of cathode!!! gradually decreases, the internal resistance of the cell increases, and to maintain the same current with air as the test gas and to set the meter to 21 per cent indication it becomes necessary to move the slide of rheostat R--3 to progressively lower its resistance. Consequently, :a condition is finally reached at which the slider reaches the end of its travel so that it becomes impossible to set the meter at 21 per cent oxygen using air.

The resistance range of rheostat R-3 is so chosen that when this condition occurs the calibration curve will have changed due to the contraction of the active cathode area only to a predetermined small amount, e. g., so as to produce an error of only about 5 per cent of the oxygen concentration reading at a point of the scale farthest away from the standardization point. Now in order to be able to adjust the instrument to 21 per cent on air, the operator must turn amigos? "sis'tancetinzshunt:with' meterrszfi than the one in position: a thus," nowtwhen ithe meter-"pointer l is adjusted to $21 per cent, "a smaller-current is I ='rdrawn from *the detector cell than with .the switch in position a. sincethedecrease of the "current at ZIper cent oz'a'gainst'the original 'value'with :the smallcurrent loads used in this 'app'licationfis byffar to'the greatest extentzdue -tofishrinka'ge .of athe active cathodeuarea, rather than to :other "causes, the observed decrease in current is ameasure f this shrinkage. oniithis basis, the new value of the shunt to themeter :is calculated. .It"might appear at first sight that the series resistance in rheostat 'R-2, when changing from. switch positiona to b, coul'd be left constantor decreased. l However, a closer mathematical investigation as well as'experiments have shown that" (except if theoutside*resistances'were to 'be ma'de impractically small in comparison with'the cell resistance) in order to obtain'lcon- 'stantcurrent density the series resistances in R-2 must also'be' increased, when the shunt resistan'ces l?,---I 'arein'creased. Formulae to calculate the'best resistances in R2 corresponding to difierent' v'alu'es ofRl have been worked'out. 'Their validity has been checked by experiments using "a second known a oxygen concentration. This experimental method may also be used by thoseskilled' inthe art tofind' without calculation "the proper resistance values needed to-keep the calibration "curve constant. By way of an example, in one-instrument that'had a'substantially constant "calibration throughout its life, shunt resistances in 'R-l were in positions a'50 ohms, 'b 100 ohms, c'-300 ohms, d--infinity. The corresponding series resistances "for constant current density and constant calibrations were: a-200 ohms, 'b'350ohms, 'c'550 ohms, cl- 750 ohms. The meter used ha'd'a resistance'of' '75'ohms and a scale range of 150 microamperes. Rheostat 'R-3 had a range of 150 ohms.

The meter scale used with the apparatus provided bythe invention-can be calibrated readily by the use of 'a'series of gases of known oxygen concentrationbetween the limits for which'the apparatus is to'be used. For instance, if the instrument isto be used for measuring oxygen deficiency of" air atmospheres pure air may be used to fix the upper limit (21% 02) of the'scale, and the meter deflection for lower concentrations can 'be'de'termined by using a series of gasessuchas "nitrogen-oxygen mixtures containing'less than 21 per cent of oxygen. Byrestriction of the active area of .the cathode to'produce 'a high cathode current density, in accordance with the principles of this invention, the resultant calibration curve willapproach'a straight line. For instance, with one instrument constructed as'de- "scribed above the following results were had:

Microammeter Oxygen, per cent deflection In :the "practice .of -the method and :in:the"use of the apparatus 10f this: invention .thexfirstifstep is to adjust the cathode current'density tothato'f the reference standard which in the case .of oxygen deficiency meters'will be that corresponding to 21 per cent of oxygen. That is, thereunrent density will be adjusted to cause a meter deflection against pure air the same as'was obtained in calibrating the instrument. To'this end the switch 35 is closed and ordinary'air-is passed through the cathode by means of aspirator bulb II, which draws air in from the atmosphere and forces it through scrubber l6'whence it passes through side arm l5 and tube l4 into the bore Illa of cathode H). The eiliuent air then escapes to the atmosphere through the lateral opening in cap 30. Rheostat R3 is adjusted until the pointer of meter 23 indicates 21 per cent of oxygen. At this point the cathode current density has been adjusted to the predetermined constant value and the instrument is ready for use with the gas which is to be tested. The latter gas is then, passed through theinstrument by aspirator bulb I1, and the difference in depolarization due to the difference in oxygen content will affect the flow of currentinthe'circuit and will be indicated by the meter reading.

If the instrument is used for making-aseries of observations it will ordinarily sufiice to'check the'standard setting only occasionally, say at intervals of a few hours. On' the other hand, if'the instrument is used infrequently the current den- 'sity should beadjusted each timeit'is usedfbut this is done easily and quickly merely by passing air through it in the manner described. l 'or ease of checking or adjusting to the standard current density in atmospheres where air 'is not readily available, a small bottleof standard gas under pressure may be provided which isiconnected' to a conduit 330 which by-passes scrubber l9 and is connected directly to tube 14, as shown in Figs. land 3.

Various modifications are, of course, permissible. For instance, instead of the electrical circuit described above there may be used other means for accomplishing'the same result, as'by replacing the coupled rheostats R."l and R 2 by a pair of tandem rheostats of the type used in radio circuits. Or, a radio type rheostat together with a step-by-step rheostat maybe used, the former having a dial marked in correspondence with the successive steps of the latter. Other modifications of a circuit for keeping the current density constant will occur to those skilled in the art. Likewise, the tubular cathode might be replaced by a porous cathode mounted in the wall of the'cell with its innersurface in contact with the electrolyteand with the gas 'passedoverdts outer surface. "In the embodiment showmrheostat R'3 is a radio type slider'rheostat which incorporates switch 36 of Fig.4.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, -I have explained the principle, --preferred embodiment and mode of operation of my inven-' tion, and have illustrated and described what'I now consider to represent its 'best embodiment. However, 'I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the'invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificalllyfillustrated' and described.

i. That method "of measuring the concentrationofoxygen in'a gaseous atmosphere which comprises the steps of drawing current frema primary cell having a polarizable cathode wliile passing a gas of known oxygen content into contact with said cathode and thereby causing depolarization at the cathode, adjusting the current flow while passing said gas to adjust the cathode current density to a predetermined value, then replacing said gas with the atmosphere to be tested, and applying the electric current flow to current-measuring means while said atmosphere is in contact with the cathode, the change in current flow being a measure of the partial pressure of oxygen in said atmosphere.

2. A method according to claim 1, said gas of known oxygen content being air.

3. A method according to claim 1, the active area of said cathode being small relative to the active anode area.

4. That method of measuring the oxygen con centration of a gaseous atmosphere which comprises the steps of drawing current from a primary cell having a polarizable cathode while passing a gas of known oxygen content into contact with said cathode, the active area of said cathode being small relative to the anode area, the oxygen content of said gas causing the cathode to be depolarized to an extent dependent upon the oxygen concentration of the gas, adjusting the electric current flow to adjust the cathode current density to a predetermined value while passing said gas, then replacing said gas by a current of the atmosphere to be tested while maintaining cell conditions constant, applying the electric current flow to current-measuring means while said atmosphere is in contact with the cathode, the observed current being a measure of the partial pressure of oxygen in said atmosphere.

5. A method according to claim 4, said gas of known oxygen content being air.

6. A method according to claim 4 in which the cathode is kept constant against changes in the active cathode area by applying the current through the cell to current-measuring means, after said area has changed, using a gas of the same known oxygen concentration used adjusting the active cathode current density to said predetermined value, and then making the preliminary current adjustment with said gas of known oxygen concentration in accordance with the ratio of the current before said change to the current after said change. MOSES G. JACOBSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 940,850 Bishop Nov, 23, 1909 1,846,354 Parker et al. Feb. 23, 1932 1,901,344 Horton -4 Mar. 14, 1933 1,951,395 Coons Mar. 20, 1934 2,156,693 Jacobson May 2, 1939 2,183,531 Allison Dec. 19, 1939 2,190,835 Gruss et al Feb. 20, 1940 2,275,281 Berl Mar. 3, 1942 2,278,248 Darrah Mar. 21, 1942 2,311,977 Coleman Feb. 23, 1943 2,350,378 Wallace June 6, 1944 2,370,871 Marks Mar. 6, 1945 2,382,734 Marks Aug. 14, 1945 2,401,287 Yant et al May 28, 1946 OTHER REFERENCES The Electrical World, vol. XLVII, No. 11, Mar. 17, 1906, pp. 564, 565.

LIndustrie Chimique, vol. 20, (July-Dec. 1933), pp. 807, 808. 

